fake news

White House Launches Media “Offender” Tracker: Concerns of Censorship and Authoritarian Tactics Raised

The White House has initiated a weekly tracker that identifies and critiques news stories deemed objectionable by the Trump administration, categorizing them as “lies” or “bias.” This “media offenders” page features a leaderboard of news outlets and a “hall of shame” highlighting specific stories and reporters. The administration’s move comes amid escalating tensions with the media, including legal battles and stricter rules for journalists at the Pentagon. Furthermore, President Trump has been criticized for making personal insults toward female reporters, adding a personal dimension to the ongoing conflict.

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White House’s Anti-Media Site Corrected After Inaccuracies Emerge

The White House recently launched a “Media Bias” webpage designed to expose “fake news,” but the site initially contained factual errors. The page was briefly taken down and altered after incorrectly attributing questions to a Fox News reporter. Currently, the site lists 31 “fake news offenses” from 21 publications, and the White House has come under fire for inaccurate claims against outlets such as The Daily Beast. This new initiative is part of the administration’s ongoing anti-media campaign, which includes restrictions on journalists and legal challenges against news organizations.

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Hegseth Denies Ordering “Kill Everybody” on Boat, But Critics Question His Account

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed reports of potentially illegal orders regarding military strikes in the Caribbean as “fake news,” maintaining that the attacks were lawful. These remarks followed a Washington Post report alleging Hegseth ordered the killing of everyone on targeted boats, with over 80 people killed in the strikes so far. In response to the reports, a Senate committee announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the military operations. The administration justifies the strikes by claiming those on the boats are drug traffickers, primarily members of Tren de Aragua, though the administration’s claims about the nature of those killed, along with the legality of the attacks, are being questioned.

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Hegseth Defends Strikes, Calls WaPo Report “Fake News” Amid Allegations

Pete Hegseth’s defense of strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats, following a *Washington Post* report alleging indiscriminate killings, has been met with a resounding chorus of skepticism and condemnation. His initial response, the now-ubiquitous “fake news” dismissal, immediately sets the tone, revealing a defensive posture rather than a clear denial of the facts presented. It’s a tactic that has become increasingly familiar, and increasingly stale, in the face of uncomfortable truths.

The accusations are serious: Hegseth and potentially other senior military leaders are being implicated in extrajudicial killings, with the *Washington Post* suggesting a pattern of violence against individuals accused of drug trafficking.… Continue reading

Trump’s Press Secretary Calls BBC “100% Fake News”

In an interview, Donald Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, labeled the BBC as “100% fake news” and a “propaganda machine,” citing biased coverage that “ruins” her day. Leavitt’s comments followed criticism of the BBC’s editing of a Trump speech in a Panorama documentary, which allegedly omitted crucial context and misled viewers. A leaked memo from a former BBC advisor further alleged systemic issues, including problematic coverage of the war in Gaza and a perceived bias in the coverage of transgender issues, indicating a lack of balance and objectivity. The BBC responded by stating they take feedback seriously and consider it carefully.

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BBC’s Capitol Riots Coverage Spot On; Trump’s Legal Immunity Fuels Outrage

Following the January 6th Capitol attack, then-President Trump’s team has been in conflict with various media outlets, including the BBC, over their reporting. The controversy stems from the BBC’s editing of a speech Trump gave before the riot, in which he urged his supporters to “fight like hell.” Despite the availability of the full speech, Trump’s camp has criticized the BBC, which echoes the sentiment that the media has portrayed “fake news.” This backlash highlights the challenges of reporting on Trump, where any criticism is seen as bias.

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Trump Knew of Death Rumors, Sources Say

President Trump denied awareness of social media rumors suggesting his death or declining health, which circulated over the Labor Day weekend. These rumors stemmed from a combination of the president’s decreased public appearances and persistent bruising on his hand, possibly linked to reported circulation issues. Despite his denials, sources indicate Trump was fully aware of the online speculation, with one official calling the rumors “fake news.” This is not the first time Trump has publicly misrepresented his knowledge of viral online content.

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Trump Calls for Revoking Licenses of “Fake News” Networks

President Donald Trump has publicly called ABC and NBC “the worst and most biased networks in history,” suggesting the FCC should revoke their licenses. This follows a pattern from Trump’s first term, where he frequently criticized media outlets using the term “fake news.” Trump’s remarks have sparked concerns within the industry about potential challenges to truthful reporting and access. The president’s recent actions indicate a continuation of the adversarial relationship between Trump and the media, especially as the midterm elections draw nearer.

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Russia’s Disinformation: Posing as US News for Decades

Russia is quietly churning out fake content posing as US news. It’s a well-established tactic, a digital shadow war that’s been waged for decades, and it’s arguably not so quiet anymore. The aim is to sow division, erode trust in institutions, and ultimately, to influence public opinion. This is often achieved by mimicking the look and feel of legitimate news outlets, sometimes even using AI-generated deepfakes of well-known personalities to narrate the content.

The fact that Russia’s disinformation efforts are “posing as US news” is a crucial element. This means that the content is designed to look as if it originates from American sources, making it more likely to be believed by US audiences.… Continue reading

Vance Denies Epstein Talks Amidst Internal Distrust and Ambitions

Vice President JD Vance has denied reports of a strategy dinner to discuss the Epstein crisis, dismissing them as “fake news.” President Trump echoed these sentiments, calling the scandal a “hoax” intended to distract from his administration’s success. This denial came after reports that a meeting was expected to be held with top Trump officials to coordinate a plan to manage the ongoing controversy. The administration is also reportedly considering releasing a recording or transcript of a conversation between Blanche and Maxwell, or having Blanche hold a press conference to provide more information.

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